Amateurs looking to impress promoters

DAVIE — The popularity of mixed martial arts in South Florida is having a trickle-down effect on local amateur shows, including tonight's Back Alley Brawl 3 at Davie PAL.

Several pro hopefuls will be featured on the Fort Lauderdale-based Left Hook Productions card. Promoters Laura Devlin and Heather Cooperman created the first-of-its-kind grassroots series to cultivate amateur fighters.

The shows allow fighters to develop a local fan base while promoters and matchmakers get the chance to scout talent for future amateur and pro shows. The pair also produce the Warriors Collide Series in larger venues. This will be their 10th event.

Twelve matches are scheduled, including a women's bout.

Raul Irizarry (3-0), of Inferno MMA, will fight Mike Ozuna (5-0-1), of US1 Fitness. The winner is expected to get a shot at the 159-pound ISKA Florida state title in the next event. Asa Tenpow (4-1) is another fighter who may get a shot at Carlos Garcia's ISKA belt. Samuel Alfonzo (3-0) is also scheduled to fight.

Strikeforce makes its debut tonight on Showtime at 10 p.m. Veteran Frank Shamrock will fight Nick Diaz in the main event in San Jose, Calif. Top woman fighter Cris Cyborg, of Brazil, takes on Japan's Hitomi Akano and Scott Smith fights Benji (Razor) Radach, of American Top Team Coconut Creek. The card will also be webcast live. Several of the fighters from the now-defunct EliteXC are fighting except for Coral Springs' Kimbo Slice.